RMS St Helena 1963 A Maritime Legacy

The RMS St Helena, a ship that left a lasting legacy in the world of maritime history. Commissioned in 1963, it was a significant addition to the British Royal Mail Ship fleet.

The St Helena was designed to serve as a cargo ship, but it also had the capacity to carry passengers and mail between the UK and the island of Saint Helena. This versatility made it an essential part of the British colonial administration.

Built by the British shipbuilding company, Vickers-Armstrongs, the St Helena was a sturdy vessel that could withstand the harsh conditions of the South Atlantic Ocean. Its robust design and reliable engines made it a trusted workhorse for many years.

The RMS St Helena has a rich and fascinating history. The ship was constructed in 1963 by Burrard Dry Dock in North Vancouver, Canada as the Northland Prince.

It operated under that name between Vancouver and Alaska. The ship was later purchased by the St. Helena Shipping Company in 1977.

The company was formed as a joint venture between the Saint Helena Government and Falmouth-based shipping firm Curnow Shipping. They had a vision to operate an ocean mail service to the island after the Union-Castle Line ceased operations.

The ship underwent a refit and was renamed St Helena, entering service in September 1978 on a route from Avonmouth, England to Cape Town, South Africa. She called en route at Las Palmas, Canary Islands, and Jamestown, Saint Helena.

St Helena continued on this route, interrupted by British government service during the Falklands War, until 1990. She was replaced by a new ship, also named St Helena.

The RMS St Helena measured 3,150 gross register tons, and was 321 feet long, with a beam of 46 feet. She was propelled by a single diesel engine and propeller, which gave her a service speed of 16.5 knots.

The RMS St Helena was purpose-built by the UK government, a 105m vessel all cocooned in a dark blue hull with white topsides, and crowned by a mustard yellow funnel bearing a golden merlion.

It was the last of her species, the only working royal mail ship left of a fleet that used to string together the distant strands of empire.

The ship was honored with a Service of Thanksgiving in St James’, the oldest Anglican church south of the equator, where Captain Adam Williams handed over the ship’s Bible to Bishop Richard Fenwick.

The public holiday before her final departure was a lively affair, with stalls selling memorabilia and islanders packing the decorated seafront.

A riotous pantomime, “The Final Act of Stupidity”, was performed by the officers and crew, entertaining the crowds with music, dance, and costumes.

The evening culminated with a symphony of fireworks over nearby Munden’s Battery.

The ship's final day was marked by a formal ceremony, where the crew paraded to the wharf landing steps, preceded by bugling scouts.

The captain received a serpentine 27ft flag representing each year of service, and the company flag was lowered to a piercing fanfare.

A flotilla of boats, including a fishing vessel, a yacht, and an American landing craft, escorted the ship as it sailed out of the bay.

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Twin fountains hosed skywards from the cargo barge, and the captain stood surefooted, erect and presidential as he hailed the cheering crowds.

The ship was covered with signal flags, the unique red-on-white pennant of the Royal Mail whipping from the masthead.

As the ship sailed down to the gun batteries of Buttermilk Point, it spun round for a final pass across the bay, penetrating the hills and valleys with the reverberations of its friendly, deep-throated ship’s whistle.

The ship's final act was to turn its bow into the trade winds for the very last time, heading to Cape Town.

St. Helena is a small island in the South Atlantic Ocean, with a population of around 7,700 people. It's a British Overseas Territory.

The island is 47 square miles in size, making it a relatively small island. It's remote, with the nearest major landmass being over 1,200 miles away.

The RMS St Helena was built to serve the island, providing a regular supply of fresh food and other essential goods. This was crucial for the island's survival, given its remote location.

The ship's arrival was always a major event on the island, with many people gathering to see it come in.